Ronda Rousey has confirmed she refused a proposed finish to tap out to Becky Lynch’s armbar at Survivor Series 2018. Speaking on The Lapsed Fan podcast, the former UFC champion detailed her reasoning for rejecting the creative plan.
“It was proposed that I tap out to her (Becky Lynch) armbar at Survivor Series, and I said, ‘My mother would disown me,’” Rousey stated.
She elaborated on a personal philosophy rooted in her MMA career.
“Anytime anyone’s actually ever arm-barred me in real life, I’ve just let them dislocate it and I limp arm out. That’s why my ligaments are all f—ked up in this arm. So, I’m not gonna do it. Anytime anyone ever choked me out in competition, I just went out, and I don’t tap. I no tap motherf—ker. That’s how it is.”
Rousey noted there was only one peer she would ever permit to submit her.
“The only person I said I would ever allow to submit me was Shayna (Baszler), and that’s why I wanted to go out, so that’s how I went out. I didn’t tap out. Let her choke me out.”
This culminated in an MMA Rules match against Baszler at SummerSlam 2023. Rousey praised the bout, noting its positive reception among talent backstage. “It was super over with all the wrestlers in the back. I’ve never got more compliments from more people… this is for us. Screw you guys.”
The admission has created a divided response from the audience. Some fans support Rousey’s commitment to protecting her character’s established non-tapping persona. Others criticize the stance, arguing that it disregards the cooperative, story-driven nature of professional wrestling.
This specific refusal was a key moment in the larger feud between Rousey and Lynch. Their rivalry eventually led to the first all-women’s main event at WrestleMania 35, a triple threat match that also included Charlotte Flair. Lynch won by pinning Rousey in a finish that Rousey has claimed was controversial, regretting it was never used to build a one-on-one rematch.